We really achieved a lot this year!
The summer dragon boat paddling season is finally over. We started paddling in April and finished paddling in September on Labour Day weekend, with a wrap up dinner with surprise gifts for all paddlers attending!. And during these past nine months from February to October we made lots of new friends, welcomed old friends, and had soooooo much fun!
Not only did we paddle dragon boats, but we carved our own wooden dragon heads and tails from cedar, put a dragon boat in Vancouver's St. Patrick's Day Parade, got featured on national television, developed a reputation as a "real fun" team, hosted parties at The Roxy, made lots of dragon boat team friends, and raced for medals in every race we entered.
* Dragon Boat head and tail carving at the Roundhouse Community Centre and filmed for CBC local news in February, and featured at ADBF Dragon's Den tent + Sea Vancouver Festival at Maritime Museum/Kits Point site.
* Dragon Boat float in the Vancouver St. Patrick's Day parade - featuring special guests City Councillor Ellen Woodsworth and CBC radio host/reporter Margaret Gallagher in March
* Taking highschool kids from Quebec out for a dragon boat lesson and mini-races
* ADBF regatta in May
* David Lam Award for Best Multicultural Team @ Alcan Dragon Boat Festival in June
* CBC Newsworld national TV spot @ ADBF
* Rec D finals for medals @ ADBF
* Sea Vancouver Festival regatta Saturday & Sunday
* Rec finals for Harrison DB races
* Bronze medals for Taiwanese DB races
* Hosting after-race parties at The Roxy following ADBF and Taiwanese races + 3-in-1 parties at the Roxy/Doolin's & The Cellar - always giving FREE tickets to out-of-town teams from San Francisco, Portland, Calgary, Tacoma...
* + we helped out a lot of other teams such as Chilliwack Pirates, Tacoma Destiny Dragons, Scaly Justice, The Eh? Team, and especially.... Concord Pacific Flying Dragons winning Gold medals in San Francisco - Yeah Kristine, Dan and Pam!!!!
* and.... got great compliments on our team-shirts!
* wrap-up dinner on October 2
Did I forget anything? A lot of teams have trouble doing just one or two of the above listed events....
Running a dragon boat team, is similar to owning a motorboat or a sailboat. It is still a boat on the ocean that is like a hole - you keep putting money into... but you love it just the same.
Coach Bob Brinson & I really were very very pleased with this year's team. Okay, we often say each year is the best yet... but the 2005 version was really special on many many levels. Kristine, Gail, Peggy, Dave Samis and Deb,have been with the team through many of its different incarnations, and Craig, Kristine, Dave Montrose, and Dave Samis have been with me on novice, recreation and competitive teams, as well as paddling with me on many other teams. We do have something special... we recognize it, and we give thanks to you all.
The GHFC dragon boat team is something I have nurtured since 2002, and the GHFC dinner since 1998. Managing, organizing and coaching both is challenging, and I am thankful for having Bob coach it this year, and supporting the team as steersperson in the previous years. This year I gave Coach Bob a nice honorarium, something I have never been able to give myself for coaching past years. But this year was a stronger year for fundraising with a good GHFC dinner of 600 people, and $1000 from the Roxy, + some fundraising parties at the Roxy throughout the year.
Many people have asked for off-season activities for physical exercise... Here's an idea: a different event each month. Indoor Rockclimbing, roller hockey, floor hocky, volleyball, badminton, waterslides... just something fun, and social - this will also aid in planning for next year's dragon boat team and GHFC fundraiser dinner.
For 2006, I would like to see 2 GHFC dragon boat teams. One for beginners, and One for experienced paddlers - mix them all up, and have double the fun we had this year.
Join the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team by calling me - Todd Wong at 604-987-7124 or e-mail gunghaggis @ yahoo.ca
